1931 NCFL Championship Game

The 1931 NCFL Championship Play-off Game was the first scheduled championship game of the National Central Football League (NCFL) since its founding in 1920. It was played on December 17 at the New York Municipal Manhattan Field in New York City, and the attendance was estimated at 25,000.

The game was between the champions of the league's newly created divisions: the Cincinnati Senators (9-3) of the Western Division and the New York Dragons (10-2) of the Eastern division. New York gained home field advantage due to the better record.

The game was an offensive showdown with 10 touchdowns scored for a total of 76 points. Senators quarterback Scott Palmer threw for 4 touchdowns and 352 yards. While reigning League award (MVP award) holder and 1930 winner Marcus Schrage threw for 2 touchdowns, 192 yards, and rushed for 1 touchdown and 140 yards.

Background

The 1929 and 1930 NCFL seasons resulted in 9 teams folding due to the economic issues with the Great Depression. Attendance figures for the 1930 season, and with growing concerns regarding the leagues financial viability, it was opted to split the league into two conferences of 6 and 5 teams each, to reduce travel times between teams. Growing disputes regarding the champions of the league between team owners, had been an issue for many years. For 1931 they decided to hold a championship game between the winners of the two divisions, and thus end disputes regarding the champion of the league